How to Format a Paper in APA Style 

You’ve finished writing your psychology paper, but now comes formatting. What’s a running head? How do you format a block quote? How many authors do you list before using “et al.”?

APA format is the most common style for papers in the social sciences, nursing, and business. Getting it right is crucial for your grade and for communicating your ideas clearly and professionally.

This guide is your foundational resource for APA 7th edition formatting. We will cover setting up your paper, from the title page to the reference list, so you can submit your work with confidence.

What is APA Style?

APA Style is the official writing and formatting standard of the American Psychological Association. It ensures writing is clear, concise, and consistent. The rules are in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, (7th edition).

Who Uses APA Format?

APA is the standard format for many academic fields, including:

• Psychology and Social Sciences (Sociology, Linguistics)
• Nursing and Health Sciences
• Business and Management
• Education

Student vs. Professional Papers

APA 7th edition distinguishes:

• Student Papers: For class assignments. They do *not* require a running head (unless your instructor says so).
• Professional Papers: For journal publication. They *do* require a running head and an author note.

This guide focuses on STUDENT papers.

General APA Page Layout (7th Ed.)

Set up your document with these rules:

• Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, right).
• Font: APA 7 is flexible. Recommended fonts include Times New Roman 12pt, Calibri 11pt, Arial 11pt, or Georgia 11pt. Check if your instructor has a preference.
• Spacing: Double-space the *entire* paper, including the title page, abstract, and reference list. No extra spaces between paragraphs.
• Page Numbers: Place page numbers in the top-right corner of every page, starting with “1” on the title page.
• Running Head: You do not need a running head for a student paper unless your instructor specifically requests one.

The 4 Main Sections of an APA Paper

A standard APA paper has four parts, each starting on a new page.

1. Title Page
2. Abstract
3. Main Body
4. References

Section 1: The APA Title Page (Student Version)

All text should be centered and double-spaced.

• Title: The title is in the top half of the page. It should be bolded and in Title Case (e.g., How to Format a Paper in APA Style).
• Author: Your name.
• Affiliation: Your university (e.g., University of California, Los Angeles).
• Course: The course number and name (e.g., PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology).
• Instructor: Your instructor’s name.
• Date: The assignment’s due date.

Section 2: The Abstract

The abstract is a brief, 150-250 word summary of your paper. Write it last.

• Start on a new page (page 2).
• The word “Abstract” is centered and bolded at the top.
• The summary paragraph is not indented.
• (Optional) You may include 3-5 keywords below the abstract.

Section 3: The Main Body

• Start on a new page (page 3).
• The title of your paper is re-typed at the top, centered and bolded.
• The first paragraph is indented 0.5 inches.
• Use APA headings to organize your sections (e.g., Method, Results, Discussion).

Section 4: The Reference List

List all cited sources here.

• Start on a new page after the main body.
• The word “References” is centered and bolded at the top.
• All entries must be in alphabetical order by the first author’s last name.
• The entire page must be double-spaced.
• Use a hanging indent (0.5 inches) for every entry.

Citations and Headings

These are common areas for errors.

APA In-Text Citations

Cite every idea that is not your own. APA uses the (Author, date) system.

• Paraphrasing: When you summarize an idea in your own words, you must cite the source. (e.g., The theory suggests…). See our guide on paraphrasing.
  • Parenthetical: (Smith, 2020).
  • Narrative: Smith (2020) argued that…
• Direct Quotes: When you use the exact words, you must include a page number. See our guide on integrating quotes.
  • Parenthetical: (Smith, 2020, p. 45).
  • Narrative: Smith (2020) stated, “…” (p. 45).

The “et al.” Rule (3+ Authors)

This is a major change in APA 7. For any source with three or more authors, you use “et al.” from the *first citation*.

• Old (APA 6): (Smith, Jones, & Williams, 2019)
• New (APA 7): (Smith et al., 2019)
• For 2 Authors: Always cite both names (e.g., Smith & Jones, 2020).

APA Heading Levels

APA uses 5 levels of headings to structure your paper. Most student papers only use Levels 1-3.

For example, Method, Results, and Discussion are all Level 1 headings. Participants and Materials would be Level 2 headings under Method.

APA Tone: Bias-Free Language

APA 7 emphasizes using bias-free language. Your writing should be respectful and precise when describing people.

• Be specific about race, gender, age, etc., *only* if it is relevant to your research.
• Use “they” as a singular pronoun.
• Use person-first language (e.g., “a person with depression” instead of “a depressed person”).

For a full guide, see the APA’s language guidelines.